Our 20th Birthday Celebration - 18th November We were so pleased to see over 75 people at our special coffee morning to mark the occasion. This fantastic cake was admired, then enjoyed by everyone. It was a very cheerful morning and we were flattered to receive the following comments: "What a lovely community you have, what dedicated volunteers and a great space." "Thank you for hosting such a lovely event and the turnout showed how well loved the library is in the local community" "Congratulations to all the volunteers for an excellent celebration. Am so glad it was so well attended. The atmosphere was so good and a tribute to you all."
Why were we celebrating? In 2003 Cambridgeshire County Council voted to close Fulbourn Library and 9 other libraries around the County to save money, but offered each community the chance to take them over and run them as Community Managed Libraries.
The Friends of Fulbourn Library took on the challenge. They worked to recruit volunteers and to organise the transition from a library run by Cambridgeshire County Council to a library run by volunteers. There have been many changes since 2003, not least a move of premises and several changes to the computer systems, but we are still here and very proud of our Library.
Author Talk - Sir Nick Young - 26 October 2023
Nick Young gave a very interesting and informative talk about his career, with particular focus on his time with the British Red Cross. His career began as a corporate lawyer in London. After moving to Suffolk, he discovered his vocation as a charity worker firstly working for Sue Ryder then Macmillan Cancer Support, and finally the British Red Cross.
As Chief Executive of the British Red Cross he visited many countries and outlined the various scenarios in different areas where impartial support from the Red Cross was deemed necessary. He stressed that he would not send any of his staff or volunteers into a situation which he was not prepared to go to himself.
Local volunteers from the British Red Cross then shared a few stories about the work they have been involved in and the work they are currently doing.
Following the talk, Nick signed copies of his book and refreshments were served to an appreciative audience.
Nick's book, My Years with the British Red Cross, is a candid account of his thirteen years as Chief Executive of the British Red Cross in which he shares the strains and moments of fulfilment, relief and humour, as he played a key role in the response to some of the 21st Century’s most dramatic and dangerous events.
Congratulations to all of the children who completed the Challenge of reading six books during the summer holidays. Children attending Fulbourn, Great Wilbraham and Teversham Primary Schools received their medals and certificates at school. Claire Daunton, County Councillor, presented certificates in the Library to the children not attending the local schools, and to our young volunteers who listened to the children talking about their books. Thank you to everyone who took part and to everyone who helped us. 94 children signed up for the Challenge and 63 children completed it.
Fulbourn Feast - Sunday 25 June 2023 Thank you to everyone who supported us at The Feast. We had a successful day, albeit it a little warm and windy!
Thank you also to the organisers of this event who give up a lot of their time to make it happen and who have to work really hard on the actual day.
Author Talk by Sophie Hannah - 16 March 2023 "Agatha, Poirot & Me"
We were delighted to host another author talk by Sophie Hannah; her previous one having taken place in 2012. Sophie's first Hercule Poirot novel, of 4 so far, was published in 2014 at the request of the Agatha Christie estate and with their full approval. How this came about was the main topic of Sophie’s laughter filled presentation, and will not be explained here. You had to be there!
The audience were also teased with the opening premise of her latest thriller ‘The Couple at the Table’ and were also intrigued to hear that a musical, ‘The Mystery of Mr E’, for which Sophie wrote both script and song lyrics, is being made into a film. The fifth Poirot book, ‘Poirot’s Silent Night’, and the film are being released in the autumn.
Sophie spoke for nearly an hour, answered questions then sold and signed copies of her books whilst refreshments were served to the audience. She sold her books to lucky purchasers “at a rate to outsell Jeff Bezos!”
Sophie was awarded a huge round of applause from the audience and presented with a bouquet of flowers.
Fulbourn Village Library is supported by: Cambridgeshire County Council Fulbourn Parish Council